Cherry Wood Grange celebrates award win for community dementia café

On Wednesday (December 3), our team celebrated taking home the Community Partnership Award at this year’s Prospers, which honour the best of care in Essex, and were praised for our Forget-Me-Not Café.

The café is attended by residents and welcomes local people who live with or care for someone with dementia.

Resident Peter White, aged 95, is living with dementia and always looks forward to members of the community coming to the café. He said: “I love socialising and chatting with others, so the café is a wonderful place, and I especially enjoy the homemade cakes the chef makes each time!”

Bex Harmer, lifestyle lead at Cherry Wood Grange, said: “We are all thrilled to have won. The Forget-Me-Not Café is much more than just a social gathering, it’s a celebration of friendship, support, and the belief that no one should ever feel alone.

“The café is a warm, inclusive space where people living with dementia, and their families and friends, can come together over a cup of tea, a slice of cake, and joyful conversation.

“The positive impact is profound. Residents tell us they feel more connected and uplifted, there is always lots of conversation, laughter, and friendships forged. The presence of community members fosters dignity, value, and purpose in our residents’ daily lives.”

Resident Betty Sharp, aged 89, often attends the café with her family. Her son, Charlie Sharp, said: “When I visit Mum and the café is running, we always pop in for cake and a chat. It has a cosy atmosphere, and the team members and volunteers are always very welcoming. Mum said it’s like the old days, chatting with neighbours over tea.”

The dementia café was designed to bridge the gap between Cherry Wood Grange Care Home residents and the wider community. Hosted fortnightly on Wednesdays at the home, the café is open to all – residents, family members and friends, neighbours, and other care providers.

“What began as an in-house initiative has blossomed into a vibrant and vital part of the wider community,” added Bex.

“The Forget-Me-Not Café now welcomes visitors from local care homes, churches and community organisations. We also have school children who visit the café, helping to promote intergenerational interaction and mutual care.”

The accolade awards the care team for their outstanding contribution to community partnership. Cherry Wood Grange’s other initiatives include regular visits from nursery and school children, book club, pet therapy sessions, church visits, and Beach School – bringing the beach experience to residents living with dementia.

Sue Smith, manager at Cherry Wood Grange, said: “I am so proud of the team, they’ve worked hard to make the café a homely, welcoming, and uplifting space, complete with music, home-baked cakes and biscuits, thoughtful decorations, and warm hospitality.

“Our approach is proudly community-first and partnership-led. We’ve built strong, lasting relationships with a wide range of local services and organisations. These partnerships are grounded in shared values of inclusion, empathy, and wellbeing.

“We believe in co-creating experiences and opportunities that foster joy, understanding, and connection.”

The care home was also ‘Commended’ for the Prosper Award, an award that recognises those care homes who have made a significant impact on resident’s quality of life.

The Forget-Me-Not Café is open to all and is hosted fortnightly on Wednesdays from 10.30am until 12pm. The next café is Wednesday, December 10 and visitors are welcome to pop along and join in.

Cherry Wood Grange Care Home is a 66-bed care home in Chelmsford, Essex, providing residential, respite, specialist dementia and nursing care.